Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Annus horribilis redux

Good riddance, '08!
On our list of lousy years
You rank really high

I'm from the government...

Oh, the irony!
Only new jobs we've heard of
Process jobless claims

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

A real miracle

Santa and Rudolph:
Their business model succeeds
Without a bailout!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Snow day tradeoff

That wasn't so bad.
Fluffy snow everywhere, sure,
But no place to go



Story

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Racine Pride

Tough call for Council:
Build a wall around Racine
Or do the right thing


Story

Sunday, December 14, 2008

They live in our hearts

cold cemetery
broken hearts join to honor
candles warm our hearts


universal pain
brings us together briefly
remembering them

-- Peg Rousar-Thompson

Story

Friday, December 12, 2008

Hey, big spender!

Another bailout,
Another Ryan yes vote.
What's become of him?



Story

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The government we deserve?

Stunning corruption!
Blagojevich sets the bar
High for successors



Story

Thursday, December 4, 2008

It doesn't get much better

Forty thousand books!
Literacy is gift-wrapped
For Racine school kids


Story

Monday, December 1, 2008

Hell hath no fury

Old legal adage
Proved again at City Hall:
Anyone can sue.


Story

Friday, November 28, 2008

WWJS*

Mayhem in the stores.
More interest in Christmas
Shopping than in church.

    (*Where Would Jesus Shop?)

Monday, November 24, 2008

Thanksgiving

Strange world we live in.
Millions go hungry, as we
Pass our plates for more.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Priorities change

Turn off the fountain!
What will kids do this summer?
Let 'em take the train!


Story

Story

Sunday, November 16, 2008

All Aboard?

Modest proposal:
Charge KRM passengers
What ride really costs


Story

Friday, November 14, 2008

Zoo Trees

Butterflies' flutter
Invites parents to recall
A child gone too soon
-- Peg Rousar-Thompson


Story

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Next Summer

Bright swimsuits, small hands
Clutch chain link and watch water
No longer for them

--Peg Rousar-Thompson


Story

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Classy, CNH

The unkindest cut:
"Laid off; clean out your desk; you're
Not material."


Story

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Seasons merging

Here in the same week:
Ghouls, election and Santa.
Is time speeding up?

Friday, November 7, 2008

All Aboard!?!

A county sales tax
Could bring Racine rail service?
(Give Vos first ticket!)



Story

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Alfresco

Obama's big win
Is a bright and sunny day,
With its own rainbow.



Story

Monday, November 3, 2008

Here's your phone back

Anybody miss
The damn RoboCalls today?
I didn't think so.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Interminable

Both parties agree:
Whatever happens Tuesday,
Thank God it's over!

Friday, October 31, 2008

Trick or your 401k

Halloween's nothin'
Economy and election...
Now those are scary!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Bostonians want to know

Stevens convicted;
Can he equal the feat of
James Michael Curly

Monday, October 27, 2008

Something spooked him

Ryan wakes from nap,
Spends fortune to campaign as
A fiscal tightwad?

Story

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

There but for the grace of ...

Parkside breathes easy:
An interim chancellor, but
Nobody in chains


Story

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Pollsters never call me

On-the-fence voter?
Not after the last debate:
I'm glad they're over!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Paging Mr. Diebold

If we vote early
Can election be stolen
Before it takes place?


Story

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Not much for RCCVB to work with

Charlie Gibson told
Viewers Racine's jobless rate,
and... and nothing else.

Story

Racine on TeeVee

It's our big close-up.
Hope we're not upstaged by that
John McCain fella


Story

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

You say potahto...

The hot debate here
Isn't Obama/McCain;
It's Tingle v. Hughes


Story

Actually, locusts would be a welcome change

First, economy tanks,
Then Favre quits and Brewers lose.
What's next: Locusts, rats?

Thursday, October 2, 2008

First the economy, and now this?

No joy in Mudville:
However bailout vote goes
It won't help Brewers



Story

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Biden's a bit player...

Debate's big question:
How well can Sarah Palin
Mimic Tina Fey?

Monday, September 29, 2008

No bread, just circus

Candidates posture
As stock market tanks. Let's hope
Brewers distract us.

Story
Story

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Updating the old fable

Bailout deal's fine print:
(No surprise) The ants must pay
The grasshoppers' debts.


Story


Thursday, September 25, 2008

Well, since you put it that way...

Bailout plan: Shut up
And give us all your money;
The sky is falling.


Story

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Quick work for our leaders...

The Great Lakes Compact:
So loved by all, it just took
Ten years to pass it.


Story
Story

Friday, September 19, 2008

If only we knew the rules...

Stocks are up! Then down.
No, up! They're playing ping pong
With our retirement.


Story

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

My debts are just a rounding error...

Billions for Bear Stearns,
AIG. Hey, Mr. Fed!
Spare a dime for me?


Story

Saturday, September 13, 2008

What is this, Florida?

Voter fraud charges
Spreading across Wisconsin
Seven weeks early


Story
Story

Thursday, September 11, 2008

It's a win-win

JT drops stock lists.
They save money; we forget
How much we're losing

Story

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Monday, September 8, 2008

Are condolences in order?

The 1st District vote
Will produce a winner...and
Sacrificial lamb?


Story

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Now for something completely different...

The spheres were a ball
But now it's time for something
Less same old, same old.


Story

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Hawaii is looking pretty good, now...

Our gardens love rain
But volleyball is dicey.
Will sand turn to mud?


Story

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Crime's tipping point

Twelve more city cops
Will stop crime? Or hush critics
With, "at least we tried."

Rob us with a gun
Or a tax referendum.
What's the difference?



Story

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Collateral damage

Gustave's arrival
Silences politicians
How to thank a storm?

Storm

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Smile, you're on candid camera!

When stopped by the cops
Your choices are few:
Obey them -- or sue



Story

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Who woulda thunk it?

Both Kohl and Feingold
Like Obama's Biden pick;
Now that's a surprise



Story

Friday, August 22, 2008

All the beach resorts were booked?

Robin takes his bride
On a GOP honeymoon.
Oh, you sweet talker!


Story

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

A-List tourist destination

Milwaukee road trip:
Forget the Calatrava,
Let's see the Bronze Fonz!



Story

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Truth is stranger than ...

Who needs TV soaps
When we have John Edwards
And City Hall


Story

Thursday, August 14, 2008

If hiring was an Olympic sport...

Only time will tell,
But it looks like Unified
Nailed the landing

Story



Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Pols discover gas prices -- again

For 35 years
We've talked, not acted, on oil.
OPEC is laughing



Story

Saturday, August 9, 2008

The welcome mat is NOT out!

Of all the tourists
Racine County doesn't want
Ash borer tops list


Story

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

The soap opera's over

Who'll regret it more:
Brett Favre? The Jets? The Packers?
Lombardi's ghost weeps


Story

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Let's go to the tape...

Let's be honest, Brett:
When it comes to retirement,
You sure fumbled it.



Story

A pattern begins to emerge, eh, Watson?

Bloggers and council
Make clear their priorities:
Cops, cops... and more cops



Story
Story

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Brett's dilemma

If Pack offers me
$20 million to stay home,
I'd have to think...YES!


Story

Friday, August 1, 2008

If these walls could talk...

Memorial Hall
Has seen them all. I wonder
Who it would vote for.


Story

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

We're on 'Unified time'

Five-year plan for schools.
Isn't that what Hicks gave us
Seven years ago?


Story

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Our churches, deputized...

War on crime weapon
Isn't guns or more police
But rather churches?


Story

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Racine is a happenin' place

Triathletes. Cyclists.
Micro-cars and quilts on barns.
What a week it's been!

Story
Story
Story
Story

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Accreditation?

It wasn't needed,
But finally they got it.
So shut up, says Mac


Story

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Politics as usual?

City employee
Fired. Accuses. Rumors.
Nasty plot thickens.



Story

Friday, July 18, 2008

'Nuts' comes to mind...

They swim, bike and run
Before most of us wake up.
Triathletes are _______.

Story

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Third time's a charm?

Will Obama break
The Century Market curse?
They both need a win

Story

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

If I had any money, I'd be worried...

'All our banks are safe,
No failures are imminent.'
Are you reassured?

Story

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Barns and quilts: Serendipitous bedfellows!

Attracting tourists:
Can it be as easy as
Putting quilts on barns!

Story

Thursday, July 10, 2008

The dog ate my schedule?

Whoops! Felner Fallout
Trips up a Parkside prof who
Skipped class too often

Story

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

A new dawn for Democrats...

Jeff Thomas is gone,
So Dems will easily win
First District. Yeah, right.

Story

Monday, July 7, 2008

All I got was this crappy t-shirt

State aides go First Class
Demand the best (hotel, food)
Leave us with the bill.

Story

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Independence Day responsibility

Parade, fireworks:
Perfect ways to celebrate.
Just don't forget why...

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Fans love Brett? Who woulda thunk it

"If Favre 'has the itch'
Packers fans are quick to say,
'Aaron Rodgers who?'

And an opposing viewpoint:

Thank you, Brett, for all
your service but it is now
A-Rod's Packer Team.
--RWWackoStu



Story

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Message on a blackboard...

Kids say, 'Great idea!'
Why can't Unified give us
A four-day week too?


Story

Monday, June 30, 2008

I'm from Congress, and I'm here to help...

Janesville plant closing
Must not ruin celebration
Of first Corvette Day

Story

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Why does this always happen to us? Good karma!

'Innocent until...'
But it sure looks like Parkside
Dodged a bullet.


Story

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Maybe eHarmony.com could find a match

Like jilted lovers,
Unified and Parkside have
Something in common.

Story

Monday, June 23, 2008

Too early for Never mind?

'It's always something,'
Roseanne Roseannadanna
taught us... eh, Parkside?

Story

This weekend, we got it right

Racine at its best:
Lighthouse Run, Greek Festival
And no damn shootings.


Story
Story

Friday, June 20, 2008

Get the warrant next week...

FISA listens in
When Osama calls. Or Mom.
I feel safer now.


Story

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Allies, eh?

Our cannons return!
Both point north, at Canada
What am I missing?

Story

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Define Amtrak customer service

Man sits in restroom
No seats on Hiawatha
When more daily trains?

--Juie Jacob

Monday, June 16, 2008

One step forward, two steps back...

Tiles on a wall
cannot stop the shooting just
up the road. How sad.
--RWWackoStu
Story

Latest classroom challenge

¿Qué habla usted?
When kids get through Unified
Let's hope it's English

Story

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Who knew it was this easy?

Broken glass and tile,
Mixed with talent and hard work
Have transformed Uptown!

Story

Friday, June 13, 2008

Condiments That Kill...film at 11

You say tom-ah-toe
And I say salmonella;
Let's stick to ketchup.


Story

Thursday, June 12, 2008

This was fun! Let's do it all again...

A second search free?
PROACT's retreads could come back
To haunt us again!

Story
Story

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

So, you think you can do better?

Please forgive Tom Hicks
As he reads the news today
With a little smile...

Story

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Definitely, an incomplete...

Don't know what happened,
But Pulliam's withdrawal
Earns both sides an F


And:

Many of us said,
"begin the search again, please."
Sue Kutz didn't listen
--RWWackoStu
Story

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Mother Nature, ill-behaved

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again some other day.
NOT on the weekend!


Story

Friday, June 6, 2008

Let's hope Monday never comes

First Friday was great
And now the beach is open
For a fun weekend

Story

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Motel 6 months to a year...

We'll leave the light on
For Waukesha's criminals
At Mac's B&B

And a concurring viewpoint:

I'd rather have them
In Mac's jail, rather than right
Next door to my house
--RWWackoStu


Story.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Resist 'sinking ship' metaphor...

Class, write an essay:
'How I would run Unified.'
Best one gets the job.


And...

How sad for our schools
No Superintendent yet
What the heck's going on?
--RWWackoStu


Story

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Sphere Madness? No, genius!

Downtown's a museum
With art at every storefront.
Wow, how neat is that!



Story

Friday, May 30, 2008

The Kinzelman Effect

When they hear 'Racine,'
More than kringle comes to mind
In clean beach circles


Story

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Grant writer

Murder, crime and shootings
Becker's cure for Racine is
A new grant writer.....

--RWWackoStu

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Fast track to nowhere

With gas at four bucks
Train sounds better and better.
Too bad there ain't one.


Story

Monday, May 26, 2008

We shall never ... learn?

Memorial Day:
Flags and parades, and each year
More deaths to regret.


And, from a reader:

Memorial Day
Honoring your sacrifice
Freedom isn't free
--RWWackoStu

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Unintended consequences

Where did that come from?
Suddenly I gained five pounds!
Oh yeah, pancake day.
--Monte Osterman

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

First things first...

Oil execs profit
Before alternatives fuel
Our energy needs.
--Anon.

Imagine what he could do for an encore

Whatever your view
Of Paul Ryan, this is clear:
He doesn't think small.


Story

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Downtown puts on a happy face!

Sixth Street all-but done,
Arty spheres come out to play.
Downtown rejoicing!


Story
Story

Monday, May 19, 2008

The little train that ...

The train will be late,
But KRM supporters
Are sure it's coming.


And an opposing viewpoint:

Listen John Lehman
We don't want your choo choo train
What an idiot
--RWWackoStu




Story

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Dress code: Tuxedos and sequins

World's Best Prom tonight!
Eight schools, 2,000 seniors...
Thanks, Rotarians!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Trial balloon

VP Paul Ryan.
It has a nice ring. But will
Obama choose him?



Story

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

The President's sacrifice

Bush stopped playing golf
out of respect for war deaths?
Why not stop the war?
--1dog2cats3kids

Story

Monday, May 12, 2008

We'll pay those bills tomorrow!

Budget compromise:
Refinance, delay school aid
...State House foreclosure!


Story

Mother's Day was yesterday!

The day after, Mom:
What's for breakfast? Where's my lunch?
Pick me up! See ya!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Mother's Day sentiment

Luckily, mothers
don't rely on cheesy cards
to know we love them.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

The gas tax vacation express


Gas tax vacation,

Oh, joy! With that 18 cents
I'll go ... um, nowhere.

Story

Laughs from oil execs
Push gas prices up before
Bush leaves the White House
--Anonymous

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Torture

In the name of peace
we've lost our humanity.
What have we become?

--1dog2cats3kids



Story

A likely scenario













When Bush, Ryan speak
About torture, are they like
Three little monkeys?


Story






Monday, May 5, 2008

Book 'em, Danno!

A little advice
For Racine's seven new cops:
Be careful out there.



Story

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Life doesn't get much better

Pancake Day. Art fair.
Paddling down the Root River.
Racine at its best.


Story
Story
Story

Let's be careful out there...

Seven more recruits
Join city's war against crime.
Fingers in the dike?


Story

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Unhappy anniversary

Mission Accomplished
The president said. Since then
Four thousand more died.


Story

Wartime accommodations

Disgusting barracks
Surprised our Army's top brass.
What else don't they know?


Story

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Where is Racine?

Man died in harness,
Friend already dead inside.
No separation.

Racine all wonders
How a man could sit watching,
Never try to help.

Where is Racine when
Children are crying on streets
Needing warmth and love?

Where are residents
Who bitch, moan, and complain
On every blog?

On Journal Times’ site
They spew their criticism
Offering no hope.

Yes it is a crime,
Yes it is a tragedy,
What this man has done.

But 'til you shut up,
Pay attention, listen - you
Are no different.

How can I say this?
If you harm more than you help,
You silently kill.

Stop blaming others
For this city's misery,
Death and destruction.

Turn it around-now!
Try something new, different.
Love everyone.

No more cruel judgments.
Only hope, kindness allowed.
For everyone.

If you can do it,
Maybe others will try too.
Be a role model.

What a difference
We can make in our city
If we have hope, love.

Not just for victims,
For everyone involved,
For every crime.

Maybe you will laugh,
Perhaps I am crazy too.
But we have to try.
(Or we will all die).

--RacineGirl

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The answer's always B

Multiple choice test:
School Board's final answer won't
be graded for years


Story

Monday, April 28, 2008

Oil companies cry foul

New electric cars
Purr past Racine gas stations.
Exxon will be shocked!


Story

This Saturday!

Racine Pancake Day
Sticky, filling, tasty treats ...
Volunteers needed!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Jet skis on North Beach

Jet skis on North Beach
Play wastes energy noise stinks.
Catamarans, please
--Lori Artiomow

Since fuel prices climbed
I can't afford to travel
North Beach here I come
--1dog2cats3kids

Story

Friday, April 25, 2008

North Bay dilemma

Ash borer moves in
And there goes the neighborhood.
So much for imports.


Hidden from our view
irridescent green insects
kicking our ashes
--1dog2cats3kids

Story

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Fill 'er up with Lake Michigan breezes?

Wind farms on the lake
Make cheap electricity?
Pipe dream in spring air!


Story

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Scribbled on the blackboard

While the Board debates
the public waits patiently.
Is one worth hiring?

-- By 1dog2cats3kids

Real winner

Keystone victory
Hillary won? Obama?
McCain in landslide

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Alternate approach

Gunshots heard often.
Let's arm our retired cops.
Or... disarm hoodlums?




Story.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Earth Day 2008

We live on this Earth
Every day. How nice of us
To care once a year.


Story.

My summer vacation

Beating Paul Ryan
Is Democrats' Job One.
A long, hot summer


Story.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Development trial

Lost money, lost land
Wood lands pined for settlement
Jury's time wasted


Full story

Friday, April 18, 2008

It's April, and FEMA's on the job

FEMA feels our pain.
(Better late than never.)
Thanks for the snow aid!



Story.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

The Price Is Right in Hindsight

Gas $3.51!
By the end of summer,
Will we think that's cheap?


Story.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Speaking in tongues

McCainconomics,
then School Board finalistspeak:
We need codebreakers!



McCain story.

School Board story.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The day after

April 16 brings
smiles: a small refund! May I
have that in nickels?

Monday, April 14, 2008

Unified superintendent search (cont.)

Meet the finalists.
Two possible, one trainwreck;
What were they thinking?


Story.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Unified's superintendent search

Sunday morning list
Questions already forming
Consultant's bungle?



Super intention-
But ghosts already rising
April winds resume



Story